Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-20

daily. II thS is allowed TO continue
James river, as power and supply, n
insufficient The daily consumption
in some other cities for the year 1880
is ms follows per capita:
Cincinnati, "a galionA
Springfield, ~ gallons.
Boston, 73 gallons
Cleveland, eaH gallons.
Miiwaakec. fo0 gallons.
Chicago. ia gallons.
New York. 20 gallons
Providence. IS gallons, and
Richmond, i54 gallons per citiScn, or oo gal-
Ions per consumerl
Providence is regarded as the
standard city in its water regulations.
Nearly all IFS services are metered,
hence the prevention of waste, and
again urge the purchase OF num-
Der of meters for our city and. the pas
sage of proper laws governing the
plumbing in our city. Pass such laws
as will require all parties to protect
their water.pipes from freezing and use
automatic cocks on all closets, and the
benefits will be at once felt The great
est sufferer in the present state OF AZ
fairs is the tenant, who, allowing the
water to run TO prevent freezing, If de-
tected is fined, and If not his pipes
freeze and burst and he has to pay the
cost of repairs. We need restriction
and inspection of house-plumbing, and
protection against freezing can be ac-
complished at small cost and many peo-
pie saved much annoyance and ex-
pense. Richmond would be abundant
" supplied with one half the water
now consumed and wasted.
Look at the question from a financial
point. Water everywhere now has q
value, and, basing our esti-
mates upon the lowest meter rate
in any city, our revenue this
year would be $449, 916 instead of Sl04,-
SOC. At one time last December some
Of our citizens could not get drop OF
water on their ground floors owing to
the fact that number living on lower
elevations and connected with the
same mains were allowing their fix
lures to run and waste to their fullest
extent. At no time during the year has
there been lack of water in the reser-
voirs. but, owingto this waste, hey fail
to meet the object of their deslgn.
They are not reservoirs, but merely
passage-ways for the water from the
pumps to the city. In the event of a
serious fire in the higher parts of the
city during such periods as mentioned,
we would be almost powerless to con-
troll it for want of pressure. As have
before said l recommend an abundant
use of water, but not abuse, as is evil
dent from the reckless waste, and | feel
sure you will see the necessity of taking
some steps to remedy this evil, espe-
cially when the remedy entails but
small expense.
wATER-NfETERS.
We have now in use thirty-eight
meters, and / hope largely to increase
this number. Meters should certainly
be put on all manufactures, motors,
hotels, liyery-stables, &C., in order, in
the first place, that proper charges may
be made, and IN the second, to prevent
waste. 1t is plainly demonstrated in
all cities that are well metered that the
consumption is greatly reduced and the
revenue increas d, and the fact isso vel
established that many are adopting TIE
ruleo attachingameter toeyeryteS' II
is true the meter frequent!' inls "
register correctly owipg, % seSulnent
and trash. and the rs Always ialls on
a eLiu a"Sn, "nT .;shing water, but it is
'mG I'm P 1ai ed and the meter readily
restc~
PUTTY OF WATER.
The water provided for the past year
las been uniformly good and healthy,
IhougA frequently unattractive on ac-
count of its discolor There was a con-
anuous period of very muddy water in
the river this year of 40 days, but we
we're able to supply water comparatively
Iree of sediment by pumping into one
of the reservoir and de-
ivering from the other.
As II have before stated / am satisfied
hat our best means of furnishing clear,
pure, and good water depends upon the
of large storage reservoirs
which could be filled during clear con-
litions of the river, and used when the
liver became muddy. In pursuance of
his plan have made several examina-
lions and surveys. There are several
locations along the river about and near
he new pump-house where such reser-
Toir and lake might be constructed. In
order to keep this water stored
n the lake pure and fresh the
water furnishing our water-power
,ould be passed through the lake
which would renew its volume every
'orty hours. Whenever the river became
muddy We would shut off the lake from
he canal, and, by means of connect
ng suction-pipe with the pumps, deliver
lear waterinto the reservoir, the muddy
water being used as power. Such
AXE would contain about twenty days
supply. Should the river still continue
muddy the lake could be refilled, and
by exhausting from the surface water
nearly clear could be furnished. No
arge sum would be required to make
;uch lake.
In conclusion, | take pleasure in com
nending TO you the officers and en-
oloyes of this department, who have
discharged their respective
luties.
Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES Il. Boiling,
Superintendent.
Then follow the statistical tables re-
erred to in the report-most of which
natter was contained, in brief, in our
irst-of-January edition.
THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
The organization OF the Water De
,artment is as follows:
Committee on IVGter.-A. l.. Owen,
hartman, j. G. Dickerson, B. T.
hump, w. G. Ammons, j. Baker, Il,
I. Render, A. Griffith, A. Pizzini Ter
6icio).
ODicers.--C. E. Boiling, superin-
i. E. Davis, assistant superin-
endent; j. G. Boyden, superintendent
,ump-houses; II. Calder, keeper New
!; Mrs. Charles Baker, keeper
liarshall reservoir,
Virginia Running and TrOtfing-
Horse Association.
A meeting of those interested in
acing viii be held at the Exchange Ho-
el at 8 o'clock on Tuesday evening
ext. The special object of this meet